Method of transferring energy between a first unit and a second unit

ABSTRACT

A method for transferring energy between first and second units with first and second meters and subscriptions to first and second backend platforms, as well as a first unit for supporting such energy transfer, where the backend platforms execute an authentication procedure and a switch is unbarred by the first control box upon successful execution of the authentication procedure. A second control box sends an amount of the transferred energy measured by the second meter to the first control box energy consumption to data is sent to the backend platforms, and a consumption clearing procedure is executed between the first and the second units at the backend platforms by means of the received energy consumption data.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,687, filed on Mar. 3,2009, entitled METHOD OF TRANSFERRING ENERGY BETWEEN A FIRST UNIT AND ASECOND UNIT, which claims priority to EP 08290212.3 filed Mar. 4, 2008,the entirety of which application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention is based on a priority application EP08290212.3 which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to a method of transferring energy betweena first unit and a second unit and to a first unit supporting thisenergy transfer, wherein at least one of the units is mobile.

Nowadays, more and more mobile units, like cars or vehicles with anelectrical engine or other arbitrary mobile electrical devices areavailable. For a user, which is a subscriber to an energy provider, itmight be desirable and convenient to allow charging batteries, to shareor to transfer energy, in particular electricity, at arbitrary mainpower sockets on own tariff and invoice.

For instance, the German patent application DE 103 04 284 A1 describesan identification arrangement for use between a motor vehicle and acharging station for energy or fuel, whereby the vehicle and thecharging station exchange data. The vehicle has an identification unitthat transmits identifying data to the loading station, so that chargingonly begins once the vehicle is successfully identified andauthenticated.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to support the transfer of energybetween a first and a second unit, wherein at least one of the units ismobile.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a method oftransferring energy between a first unit and a second unit, wherein atleast one of the units is mobile, wherein the first unit has asubscription at a first backend platform and comprises a first meter formeasuring energy exchanged with an external power source and/or anexternal power consumer, a first control box, a switch is which allowsto interrupt the transfer of energy to the external power consumer andcommunication means for communicating with the first backend platform,wherein the second unit has a subscription at a second backend platformand comprises a second meter for measuring energy received from anexternal power source, a second control box and communication means forcommunicating with the second backend platform, and wherein a power lineconnects the first unit to the second unit, the second control boxsends, preferably via the power line, a request for transferring energyto the first control box, an authentication procedure is executedbetween the first and the second unit by means of the first and secondbackend platform, the first control box unbars the switch uponsuccessful execution of the authentication procedure, the second controlbox sends an amount of the transferred energy measured by the secondmeter to the first control box, energy consumption data comprising dataabout the amount of transferred energy measured by the second meter andenergy transfer data comprising data about an amount of exchanged energymeasured by the first meter is sent to the second and first backendplatform, respectively, and a consumption clearing procedure between thefirst and the second unit is executed by means of the received energyconsumption data at the first and second backend platform. The object ofthe present invention is also achieved by a first unit for supportingthe transfer of energy between the first unit and a second unit, whereinat least one of the units is mobile and the first unit has asubscription at a first backend platform and the second unit has asubscription at a second backend platform, wherein the first to unitcomprises a first meter for measuring energy exchanged with an externalpower source and/or an external power consumer, a first control box, aswitch which allows to interrupt the transfer of energy to the externalpower consumer and communication means for communicating with the firstbackend platform, and wherein the first control box is adapted toreceive, preferably via a power line connecting the first and secondunit, a request for transferring energy sent by a second control box ofthe second unit, support the execution of an authentication procedurebetween the first and the second unit by means of the first and secondbackend platform, unbar the switch upon successful execution of theauthentication procedure, receive the amount of the transferred energymeasured by a second meter of the second unit from the second controlbox, and send energy consumption data comprising data about an amount ofexchanged energy measured by the first meter to the first backendplatform for execution of a consumption clearing procedure between thefirst and the second unit.

The present invention provides a solution for, preferably mobile,electrical devices, which allow to consume energy or charge them atarbitrary power socket. It solves problems appearing with the handlingof tariffs, related taxes, control of consumption, fraud and misuse.Tariffs, taxes and the actual consumption in kilowatt-hours can behandled completely independent from each other and even by differentenergy providers by means of the consumption clearing procedure betweenthe first and second backend platform. Furthermore, the invention allowsthe control and tariffing of energy transfers or flows, which are notmaking their way through a “conventional” wire. It allows alsocontrolling, tariffing and billing of energy flow that go through afirst mobile unit to other mobile devices, i.e. a second mobile unit,e.g. an electrical car, or back to a house or fixed installations, i.e.a non-mobile second unit. The present invention allows roaming ofenergy, in particular of electricity. Furthermore, the present inventionprovides a user-friendly and customer-friendly consumption clearingprocedure. It becomes possible to differentiate tariffs, for instance,according to different taxes and depending on energy usage. The tariffsused for the cascaded meters, i.e. the first and the second meter, canbe completely different. The method allows, as said above, even thebackfeeding of energy, e.g. from a mobile unit, e.g. an electrical car,to non-mobile units, e.g. a house while controlling this by a certaintariff and calculating correct tax payment according to the usage, e.g.home or vehicle.

Further advantages are achieved by the embodiments of the inventionindicated by the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first andsecond control box communicate via the power line which connects thefirst and the second unit by means of a power line communication (powerline communication=PLC) protocol. The communication means handling thiscommunication are connected in such a way with the power line that theswitch or switches which interrupt the transfer of energy, e.g. likeelectricity, will not interrupt the communication of the first andsecond control box via the power line. This approach improves theliability of the authentication and identification process since thecommunication is not executed over an “open” communication network butvia a physical point to point connection which connects the first andsecond unit only. But, it is also possible that the first and secondcontrol box communicate via a short range wireless communicationprotocol, e.g. a blue tooth protocol or wireless local area networkprotocol.

The first and the second backend platforms are preferably separatedplatforms wherein the first backend platform is the platform of a firstenergy provider the first unit is subscripted to and the second platformis the platform of a second energy provider the second unit issubscripted to. But, it is also possible that the first and the secondbackend platform are identical and one and the same platform, forinstance, if the first and the second unit has the same energy provider.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the second controlbox sends, preferably via the power line, an authentication requestabout the second unit to the first control box. The first control boxsends a corresponding authentication request about the second unit tothe first backend platform. The first backend platform sends acorresponding authentication request about the second unit to the secondbackend platform. The second backend platform authenticates the secondunit to the first control box and the first backend platform by means ofsending authentication data back to the first backend platform whichsends corresponding authentication data to the first control box.

Preferably, the authentication request comprising a preferablyencrypted, identification of the second unit. The first backend platformsends an authentication request comprising this, preferably encrypted,identification of the second unit to the second backend platform. Thesecond backend platform verifies said authentication request by means ofthe identification of the second unit.

Furthermore, it is also possible that that the first and the secondbackend platform are the same platform, e.g. if both units, the firstand the second unit, has a subscription to one and the same energyprovider. In this case, the first and the second unit are represented bydifferent corresponding subscriptions at one backend platform. Thebackend platform accesses the subscription data of the second unit tovalidate the authentication request received from the first control box.If the validation is successful it authenticates the second unit to thefirst control box by sending corresponding authentication data back tothe first control box.

Preferably, the second backend platform sends tariff data to the secondcontrol box which informs the second control box about available tariffsfor power consumption. The second control box or the user of the secondunit selects one of the available tariffs. Then, the second control boxsends a message back to the second backend platform which indicates theselected tariff towards the second backend platform, i.e. the energyprovider of the second unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the second backendplatform sends tariff data and control data to the second control box.The second control box bars and/or unbars a switch of the second unitfor controlling the transfer of energy according to the received tariffdata and control data. This ensures that the second unit complies withthe conditions of the selected tariff.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first controlbox and/or the second control box stores data values of the transfer ofenergy, preferably comprising an amount of transferred energy, one ormore timestamps, authentication data (e.g. an authenticationcertificate) and/or an identification of the first unit and/or secondunit. Such further steps improve the protection of both, the first andsecond unit, against fraud and misuse.

Furthermore, the first control box preferably stores during the transferof energy, preferably in short time intervals, interim data values ofthe transfer of energy, e.g. comprising an amount of transferred energy,one or more timestamps, authentication data and/or an identification ofthe first and/or second unit. To gather this information, it ispreferred that the second control box frequently sends, during thetransfer of energy, interim data values of the transfer of energy, e.g.comprising an amount of transferred energy, one or more timestamps,and/or an identification of the second unit, to the first control box.The first control box stores said received interim data values. Thesefurther steps provide additional protection against fraud and misuse.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first meter andthe second meter regularly determine energy consumption data comprising,for example, an amount of energy consumption, one or more timestamps andan identification of the first unit and second unit, respectively. Saidenergy consumption data is forwarded to the first and second backendplatforms as further input for the consumption clearing procedure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the first andsecond backend platform determines by means of the consumption clearingprocess energy flow data, and forwards the determined energy flow datato a further application, preferably a tax calculation application, forfurther processing. The energy flow data indicate the flow of energy toa unit, preferably a mobile unit, and respect the amount of energyreceived by this unit from other units and the amount of energytransferred from this unit to other units.

Preferably, the first control box and/or the second control box unbarand/or bar the switch of the first unit and/or a switch of the secondunit, respectively upon receipt of a corresponding instruction from thefirst and/or second backend platform, respectively. But it is alsopossible that the first control box and the second control box bar theswitch of the first unit and a switch of the second unit, respectively,upon receipt of a corresponding manual input of a first and is seconduser assigned to the first and second unit, respectively.

These as well as further features and advantages of the invention willbe better appreciated by reading the following detailed description ofpresently preferred exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction withaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram which illustrates the “Principle of CascadedElectrical Energy Consumption”, here charging of a vehicle, i.e. asecond mobile unit.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram which illustrates the communication flows betweenthe electronic meters and the backend platforms of the electricityproviders.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram which illustrates in detail method fortransferring energy between a first and a second unit.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram which illustrates a case where energy provided bypublic utilities is transferred from a first unit to a second unit whichis mobile.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram which illustrates a case where energy is providedand transferred from a first unit to a second unit which is mobile.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram which illustrates a case where energy provided bypublic utilities is transferred from a second unit to a first unit,whereby the second unit is mobile.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram which illustrates a case where energy provided bypublic utilities is transferred from a second unit to a first unit,whereby the first and the second units are mobile.

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principles of cascaded electronic meters,the meters M1 and M2, whereby the corresponding communication issketched by means of FIG. 2. The present example is directed to thecharging of a battery B2 of a vehicle, i.e. a second unit 2. Inparticular, the exchange of communication in all figures is indicated bythick dashed arrows.

FIG. 1 shows a first unit 1, which is a house, connected to an externalpower energy provider 5, i.e. to its utilities. The unit 1 comprises ameter M1 and an arbitrary socket So1. Furthermore, the second unit 2,which is mobile, for instance, a vehicle or car, comprises a secondmeter M2 and the battery B2. The first unit 1 and the second unit 2 areconnected via a power line 3. The power line 3 serves also forshort-range communication transmission, e.g. a power line communication.In the present example “The Vehicle”, i.e. the second unit 2, is pluggedto the socket So1 of the first unit 1, which can be e.g. a privatehousehold or a public parking area etc. In the following we use the term“The Vehicle” equivalently for the mobile unit 2.

The household or parking area, i.e. the first unit 1, is equipped with asmart meter, i.e. the first meter M1, which has the ability tocommunicate directly or indirectly via a control box with theelectricity providers backend platform P1 which processes theconsumption data according to the households tariffs and createscorresponding billing to the customer. The first meter M1 is used formeasuring energy exchanged with the power grid of the energy provider 5,i.e. with external power sources and/or an external power consumerconnected with this grid. The first unit 1 has a subscription at a firstbackend platform P1 which is the backend platform of the energy provider5. Furthermore, control information about availability of certaintariffs is given by means of the backend platform P1, e.g. cheap tariffsduring night time or as long as solar or wind energy is available.

The meter M2 is connected in such a way with the battery B2 of thesecond unit 2 that this battery can be charged through the meter M2only. The meter M2 is an electronic smart meter, as described above. Thesecond meter M2 measures the energy received from an external powersource, e.g. via the socket So1. The unit 2 and the meter M2 communicatewith this backend platform as described above. The unit 2 has asubscription at another electricity provider's backend platform P2 anddifferent special tariffs especially for the mobile consumption.

Preferably, the first and the second backend platform P1, P2 communicatewith the first and the second meter M1, M2, respectively via a publicswitched telephone network, e.g. a GPRS service of a GSM network or aUMTS network and/or a public land mobile network.

The utility assigned to the second backend platform P2 could be avirtual or a real electricity producing utility, which is specialized onmobile tariffs. This kind of tariffs could even include taxes forvehicle energy consumption similar to today's petroleum tax.

The given arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, guarantees that theconsumption information is securely transferred to the backend platformsP1 and P2 of the corresponding utilities through a Public KeyInfrastructure.

However, fraud is still possible, if there is no careful observation ofthe complete process. Furthermore, the meter IDs (ID=identification)need to be exchanged manually, which is a potential source of fraudand/or accidental misuse.

By means of FIG. 3 the method for transferring energy between a firstunit 1 and a second unit 2 is described in more detail and furthernecessary measures are addressed.

In FIG. 3 further entities which have not yet been introduced by FIG. 2are comprised as follows: The first unit 1 and the second unit 2comprise a first switch Sw1 and second switch Sw2, respectively, whichallow the interruption of the transfer of energy between the first unit1 and the second unit 2, respectively. However both switches Sw1 and Sw2do not interrupt communication passing through these switches, i.e. theswitches Sw1 and Sw2 are able to break the energy flow, i.e. thetransfer of energy, while being open for power line communication viathe power line 3 so that all necessary communication on authentication,tariffs and control etc. can be carried out before the actual energyflow starts. The preconditional power line communication is allowedthrough the application of a high pass filter bridging the electricalpower switch. The switches Sw1 and Sw2 can be realized by toconventional electrical power switches.

The first unit 1 and the second unit 2 comprise a first control box C1and a second control box C2, respectively. The first control box C1 andthe second control box C2 comprise communication means which allow tocommunicate via the public land mobile network and/or the publictelephone switched network used for communication with the platforms P1and P2. Furthermore the first control box C1 and the second control boxC2 control the first switch Sw1 and the second switch Sw2, respectively.

For instance, the first control box C1 receives control information fromthe first backend platform P1 in case that e.g. cheap night tariffsshall be used. The first control box C1 controls the first switch Sw1accordingly. This is analogously possible for the second control box C2and the second switch Sw2. However, it is also possible that the secondcontrol box C2 is controlled e.g. by a bord controller of the secondunit 2, and/or manually and/or by the second backend platform P2, e.g.for Pre-paid tariffs or in case that the contract with utilitiesassigned to the second unit 2 is cancelled or expired.

In the case of manual interaction with the first and second controlboxes C1, C2, the control information supplied, e.g. together with cheaptariffs, can be ignored.

Preferably, for a secure communication, a Public Key Infrastructure isused. Metering information is secured by the Public Keys of the firstand second backend platforms P1, P2 used for encryption, authenticity ofinformation and authentication of consumers or subscribers. Controlinformation sent to the meters M1, M2 and control boxes C1, C2 aresecured by the public keys of the units 1 and 2 or the public keys ofthe meters M1, M2 and control boxes C1, C2, to correspondingly.

In order to allow an offline clearing of consumption of energy andverification at a later stage, the second meter M2 is sending itsmeasured amount of energy consumption on two ways:

First, permanently, preferably in short time intervals, to the firstcontrol box C1 using authenticity certificate or credentials provided bythe second backend platform P2 during an authentication procedure, andsecond on request to the second backend platform P2. This allows averification of the amount of transferred energy and transferred energyand/or consumption data on both parties sides.

Alternatively, the communication between “The Vehicle”, i.e. the secondunit 2, and the first backend platform P1 and control box C1, could beset up through a public land mobile network.

The first control box C1 forwards the amount of transferred energy, i.e.the consumption, together with total own consumption measured by thefirst meter M1 as an additional information on request to the firstbackend platform P1.

Preferably, before the first and second backend platforms P1, P2 performa consumption clearing procedure, the authenticity of “The Vehicle”consumption, i.e. the amount of transferred energy to the second unit 2,can be checked and verified.

The units 1 and 2 and the platforms P1 and P2 execute, for example, thefollowing procedure for transferring energy from the first unit 1 to thesecond unit 2:

The first unit 1 is connected to the second unit 2 by means of a powerline 3, wherein a plug of the power line 3 is inserted into a socket So1of the first unit. The second control box C2 sends a charge request tothe first control box C1 via the power line 3, i.e. the second controlbox C2 sends, preferably via the power line 3, a request fortransferring energy to the first control box C1.

Further, an authentication procedure between the first and the secondunit 1, 2 is executed by means of the first and second platform P1, P2as follows: The second control box C2 sends an authentication request ofthe second unit 2, in the present case “The Vehicle”, preferably via thepower line 3, to the first control box C1. The first control box C1sends the received authentication request of the second unit 2 to thefirst backend platform P1 assigned to the first unit 1. The firstbackend platform P1 sends the authentication request to the secondbackend platform P2. It is possible that the authentication requestfurther comprises the amount and tariff preference of the requestedtransfer of energy. The second backend platform authenticates theauthentication request of the first backend platform P1 by providingcorresponding credentials. The first backend platform P1 forwards thecredentials to the first control box C1. The first control box C1 unbarsthe first switch Sw1, preferably according to the received credentials.Preferably, during the authentication procedure Public Key encryptedidentifications between the first and second control boxes C1, C2 areexchanged to clearly identify the transfer of energy involved customersor users. Upon successful execution of the authentication procedure, thefirst control box C1 unbars the first switch Sw1.

It is possible that the second backend platform sends tariff and controldata to the second control box C2 so that the second control box C2 cancontrol the second switch Sw2 according to the received tariff andcontrol data.

Preferably, the second control box C2 sends during the transfer ofenergy, preferably in short time intervals, interim data values of thetransfer of energy, preferably comprising an amount of transferredenergy, timestamps, and/or an identification of the first unit 1 to thefirst control box C1. The first control box C1 stores said receivedinterim data values.

At the end of the energy transfer process, the second control box C2sends an amount of the transferred energy measured by the second meterM2 to the first control box C1.

In particular, it is possible that the first meter M1 and the secondmeter M2 measure, preferably in short time intervals, energy consumptiondata comprising an amount of energy consumption, timestamps, andpreferably an identification of the first unit 1 and second unit 2,respectively. Said energy consumption data is forwarded by thecorresponding control boxes C1 and C2 to the first and second backendplatform P1, P2 as further input for the consumption clearing procedure.

Preferably, the first control box C1 and the second control box C2 storedata values of the transfer of energy, preferably comprising an amountof transferred energy, timestamps, and/or an identification of the firstunit 1 and/or second unit 2, respectively for later checking of theconsumption clearing procedure executed by the first and second backendplatform P1, P2.

The control boxes C1 and/or C2 stop the transfer of energy when therequest amount of transferred energy is reached and the first and/orsecond switch Sw1, Sw2 will be barred correspondingly. After thetermination of the transfer of energy it is possible to unplug the plugof the power line 3 from the socket So1 of the first unit 1. The controlboxes C1 and/or C2 obtain the corresponding instruction or informationdirectly by the first and/or second meter M1, M2, respectively orindirectly via the first and/or second backend platform P1, P2,respectively.

In any case, energy consumption data comprising data about the amount oftransferred energy measured by the first meter M1 is sent to the firstbackend platform P1, as well as energy consumption data comprising dataabout the amount of transferred energy measured by the second meter M2is send to the second backend platform P2.

Finally, the consumption clearing procedure between the first and thesecond unit 1, 2 by means of the received energy consumption data isexecuted at the first and second platform P1, P2, preferably accordingto corresponding agreements. At the consumption clearing procedure, theenergy transferred from the first to the second unit is at the one handsubtracted from the energy received by the first unit and counted by thefirst meter and at the other hand allocated to the energy consumption ofthe second unit. Furthermore, these corrected values of energyconsumptions are used as basis for billing the energy consumptionaccording to the specific tariff of the first and second unit,respectively. Furthermore, this data is used to execute a consumptionclearing process between the energy providers of the first and secondunit.

The FIGS. 4 to 7 show further preferred embodiments wherein a furtherplatform 4 for further processing is involved, such as tax calculation.In the further embodiments as shown in the following figures, a firstand a second subscriber 11, 21 assigned to the first unit 1 and thesecond unit 2, respectively, receive by means of the first backendplatform P1 and the second backend is platform P2, respectively,invoices comprising billing according to the corresponding tariffs.These invoices can further comprise a further rate, for instance a taxrate. Such a further rate is forwarded by the backend platforms P1, P2to the further platform 4.

In the following embodiments the big unidirectional arrow indicates thedirection of the energy flow between the first and second unit 1, 2, asshown in FIGS. 4 to 7.

By means of FIG. 4 the case is illustrated where energy provided bypublic utilities 5, i.e. public energy providers, is transferred from afirst unit 1 to second unit 2 which is mobile.

As described before, the invention allows to differentiate energyconsumption by means of cascaded meters, i.e. the meters M1, M2, for theutilities' backend platforms P1, P2. In a further step, the utilities 5carry out a clearing of kilowatt-hours among each other according totheir contracts for the exchange of energy by means of the correspondingbackend platforms P1, P2.

The end consumer 11, 21 is billed according to the tariffs. The billingis carried out by each utility's billing system by means of the backendplatforms P1, P2, which can consider also the taxes or other deductions.

Since the described invention allows to verify for which purpose theenergy is consumed, this information can be used as basis for taxpayments according to the usage of the energy. The identification of thepurpose of energy consumption can be comprised within the energytransfer data available at the t5 backend platforms P1, P2. Forinstance, the energy consumption tax for “The Vehicle”, i.e. the secondunit 2, can be charged automatically and different from the energyconsumption tax in a household or a company, i.e. the first unit.

By means of FIG. 5 the case is illustrated where energy is provided andtransferred from a first unit 1 to second unit 2 which is mobile. Thefirst unit 1 provides private energy generation 5, like wind, waterand/or solar energy.

Besides the described solution of consuming public providers energy, theinvention solves also the tax issue in case that “The Vehicle”, i.e. thesecond unit 2, is charged from private operated generators 5, e.g.solar, wind, water etc.

In case the private energy generation utility 5 has no assigned backendplatform, there will be no request for consumption clearing communicatedto the second backend platform P2 of “The Vehicle”, i.e. the second unit2. However, the second platform P2 of the “The Vehicle” 2 will recordthe consumption of “The Vehicle” and will be able to calculate correcttax rates.

By means of FIG. 6 the case illustrated where energy provided by publicutilities is transferred form a second unit 2 to a first unit 1, like ahousehold, whereby the second unit 2 is mobile.

The principle of charging “The Vehicle”, i.e. the second unit which ismobile, at a fixed location, e.g. from a household, i.e. the first unit1, works also in the opposite direction. Given the case that there is anenergy break or no electricity available in remote places, i.e. thefirst unit 1, the energy can be fed from a vehicle 2 to a house 1.

A special tariff can be defined for this case and the energy consumptiontax can be raised or lowered, e.g. as household tax and not as vehicleenergy consumption tax, even if the energy was transported by “TheVehicle” to the house.

By means of FIG. 7 the case illustrated where energy provided by publicutilities is transferred from a second unit 2 to a first unit 1, wherebythe first and the second units 1, 2 are mobile. Therefore, FIG. 7 showsenergy sharing with another mobile user.

Even if it is not the usual case, “The Vehicle”, i.e. the second unit 2,can share energy with other vehicles, i.e. the first unit 1.

The users 11 and 21 of these vehicles 1 and 2, respectively, do not haveto take care about cost compensation considering any individual tariffsor tax rates.

This task is carried out by the corresponding backend platforms P1 andP2, doing the clearing and tax calculation etc. Even if the two mobileparties do not know each other, the transaction appears on each party'sinvoice with the correct billing and tax rate.

Further preferred embodiments correspond to the preceding embodimentswherein the first and second entities are correspondingly exchanged.

1. A method of transferring energy by a first unit in an environmentfurther including a second unit, wherein at least one of the first andsecond units is mobile, wherein the first unit has a subscription to afirst backend platform, said first unit comprising (i) a first meter formeasuring energy exchanged with an external power source and/or anexternal power consumer, (ii) a first control box, (iii) a switch whichallows interruption of energy exchange between the first and secondunits, and (iv) a transceiver operative to communicate with the firstbackend platform, the method comprising: coupling a power line to thefirst unit, said power line being further coupled to the second unit;receiving, by the first unit, a request for transferring energy betweenthe first and second units, said request having originated at a secondcontrol box of the second unit; unbarring, by the first control box, theswitch in response to authentication of the first and the second unitsto each other; receiving by the first control box, an indication of anamount of the transferred energy; transmitting energy transfer datatoward the first backend platform, said energy transfer data comprisingdata about an amount of exchanged energy measured by the first meter. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring energy betweensaid first and second units.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein saidenergy is transferred via said power line.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein said energy is transferred in response to unbarring of theswitch.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the received indication of theamount of transferred energy originated at the second control box. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the indication of the amount oftransferred energy was measured at a second meter of the second unit. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the energy transfer data is transmittedto the first backend platform.
 8. An apparatus for supporting thetransfer of energy between a first unit and a second unit, wherein atleast one of the first and second units is mobile, and wherein the firstunit has a subscription to a first backend platform, the apparatuscomprising: a transceiver operative to communicate with the firstbackend platform; a connector coupleable to a power line to connect thefirst and second units; a first meter operative to measure energyexchanged between the first unit and an external power source and/or anexternal power consumer; a switch operatively coupled with the connectorto selectively interrupt energy exchange between the first and secondunits; and a first control box operatively coupled with the transceiverand the switch, wherein the first control box is operative to: receive avia the power line and/or via a public land mobile network, a requestfor transferring energy between the first and second units, said requesthaving originated at a second control box of the second unit, unbar theswitch upon successful execution of an authentication procedure betweenthe first and the second units, and transmit energy consumption datatoward the first backend platform, the energy consumption datacomprising data about the amount of the energy transferred between thefirst and the second units measured by the second meter and about anamount of energy exchanged between the first unit and the external powersource and/or the external power consumer measured by the first meter.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transceiver is coupleable to isa public land mobile network and/or to a public telephone switchednetwork to communicate with the first backend platform.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the first control box is operative tosupport the execution of an authentication procedure between the firstand the second units via the first and second backend platforms.
 11. Asystem for facilitating energy transfer between a first unit and asecond unit, wherein at least one of the first and second units ismobile, the system comprising: a first backend platform adapted to beoperative with a second backend platform subscribed to by the secondunit to execute an authentication procedure between the first and secondunits and to perform a consumption clearing procedure with respect toenergy transfer between the first and second units; a connectorcoupleable to a power line to connect the first and second units; aswitch operatively coupled with the connector to selectively allow orinterrupt energy exchange between the first and second units; and afirst control box operatively coupled with the switch, the first controlbox comprising: a receiver operative to receive a via the power lineand/or via a public land mobile network, a request for transferringenergy between the first and second units, and an authentication requestfor authentication of the second unit to the first unit, said requestshaving originated at a second control box of the second unit, atransceiver operative to transmit the received authentication request tothe first backend platform to initiate execution of the authenticationprocedure, the transceiver further operative to receive authenticationcredentials from the first backend platform, and at least one processorconfigured to selectively unbar the switch to allow transfer of energybetween the first and second units in response to receipt of theauthentication credentials from the first backend platform; wherein thetransceiver is operative to transmit energy consumption data toward thefirst backend platform, the energy consumption data comprising dataconcerning an amount of energy exchanged between the first unit and anexternal power source and/or an external power consumer; and wherein thefirst backend platform is adapted to be operative with the secondbackend platform to perform the consumption clearing procedure at leastpartially according to the amount of energy exchanged between the firstunit and the external power source and/or external power consumer andaccording to data about the amount of energy transferred between thefirst and the second units.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thefirst backend platform is operative with the second backend platform toperform the consumption clearing procedure including subtracting anamount of energy transferred from the first to the second unit from theamount of energy exchanged between the first unit and the external powersource and/or external power consumer, and to allocating a resultingvalue as a basis for billing energy consumption of the second unit.